I saw this coming, so it wasn't a huge surprise when I got called to the CEO's office on Monday. Our new CEO decided to outsource the IT department thus making my job as I.T. Director non-existent. I have not had to look for a job for most of my career so job shopping is essentially a new process for me. Does anyone have any suggestions? What job listing sites are the best? Do professional social sites like LinkedIn offer any real value when looking for a job? What factors do you consider responding to job offers? (I am looking for non-obvious suggestions. Obvious would be salary, hours, responsibilities, benefits, etc...) I already have a few offers on the table, but want to find out what my real value is before accepting something off the cuff.

41 Replies

SAM always has good insight about job hunting. Not that I need to because he reads like every single post on SW, but I'm gonna send him the link to this post. This sucks monkey balls. Best of luck in your job hunt.

First off, sorry to hear about your loss...:-< (Their loss actually as they will probably soon find out...) Yes, all of the social Job sites out there I have found beneficial in one way or another. With some I have found you will get daily offers to work either for some work-at-home scam or some 'Russian Federation' work (CareerBuilder BTW..) ...But just delete and go one. Dice is good.....I have found some good opportunities thru CraigsList, but with that you need to be very careful. +1 on the LinkedIn setup and profile. I have actually received a few contacts thru that. Don't forget the ole' fashioned Newspaper. I actually found one there a few weeks ago that did not seem to be on any of the online services (Actually have an Interview with that one on Monday :->) . Good luck.....And most important do not take it personally. Your new Job now is to find a Job..... And looking can be a full time Job...

I found this one via CareerBuilder, but I would at least have a profile on LinkedIn. Any networking you can do should help you hear about jobs not necessarily posted to the major sites. I've also found Indeed.com to be decent. It all depends on what level / type of openings you're looking for. I've got a couple of recruiters looking for me, when they find something that they feel would be a good fit, they give me a call. I don't always go interview as I have a "real" job and am not going to jump ship for just any opening. I would hope that with your location you could go to either KC, Witchita, or Topeka (I can't imagine the commute being great year-round but at least it's kinda close) if you can't find something in your hometown. Maybe you're looking to move, which will open up your opportunities even more :-)

LinkedIn, while not very good, is certainly worthwhile. Pretty much every recruiter hangs out on LinkedIn now so that is where to be to get the big bulk of job posts flung at you.

Get your resume polished up. If you've been off of the market for a long time likely it sucks. The longer you go without updating it the more crazy it starts to look. Spend a lot of time there, it's time well spent.

Oh, and make sure that you know everything about you that there is out there on the internet, cause it's my understanding that every company searches for your online presence nowadays. Make sure your Facebook account is private, if you have one (who would make theirs public?! Never understood that.). Would be better not to be surprised if there's something out there that you wouldn't want a potential future employer to know about.

Don't forget the ole' fashioned Newspaper. I actually found one there a few weeks ago that did not seem to be on any of the online services (Actually have an Interview with that one on Monday :->) . Good luck.....And most important do not take it personally. Your new Job now is to find a Job..... And looking can be a full time Job...

John, I read your post from Jan. 12th before posting about my job. It is good to hear that you have options coming your way.

Get your resume polished up. If you've been off of the market for a long time likely it sucks. The longer you go without updating it the more crazy it starts to look. Spend a lot of time there, it's time well spent.

Excellent point about polishing the resume. Having hired a number of people over the years, I think that the applicant's resume says as much about them the actual interview.

Yes, it have been a very interesting journey.. And like I posted at least I am 'safe' at this point here and still have full time employment, but still keeping options open - which is what anybody in IT should do anyway....

My takeaways/plan so far from my experience-

- Don't freak out if/when you have 'the meeting'

- Lack of Health Benefits is not life/family ending. Pay what you can when you get sick/injured. Heck, I am finding that without benefits (I still have, but just exploring/asking) many places with give you a big discount to pay cash.

- Life still does go on

- It is not your fault, do not take the layoff personally

- Do some of those home projects that you have put off or years.

- Build up your home network and work/study on getting a cert that you have always wanted.

DaTechGuy (AKA RLowery4226) wrote:

John2851 wrote:

Don't forget the ole' fashioned Newspaper. I actually found one there a few weeks ago that did not seem to be on any of the online services (Actually have an Interview with that one on Monday :->) . Good luck.....And most important do not take it personally. Your new Job now is to find a Job..... And looking can be a full time Job...

John, I read your post from Jan. 12th before posting about my job. It is good to hear that you have options coming your way.

When I look at candidates, if they are not on LinkedIn with some reasonable profile, then they better be the greatest thing since sliced bread. I will try to look someone up before an interview, and if I can't find out more about you than the resume in front of me, I will interview someone else first.

That's just me. YMMV. I'm pointing it out since it's something to consider when building your personal brand during your job search.

Oh, and make sure that you know everything about you that there is out there on the internet, cause it's my understanding that every company searches for your online presence nowadays. Make sure your Facebook account is private, if you have one (who would make theirs public?! Never understood that.). Would be better not to be surprised if there's something out there that you wouldn't want a potential future employer to know about.

Another option that I am considering is beefing up my resume by obtaining some certs or a degree. I would appreciate any suggestions about this option as well. I am most interested in the areas of security and wireless networking. I am also considering a business administration degree.

Oh, and make sure that you know everything about you that there is out there on the internet, cause it's my understanding that every company searches for your online presence nowadays. Make sure your Facebook account is private, if you have one (who would make theirs public?! Never understood that.). Would be better not to be surprised if there's something out there that you wouldn't want a potential future employer to know about.

Oh, and make sure that you know everything about you that there is out there on the internet, cause it's my understanding that every company searches for your online presence nowadays. Make sure your Facebook account is private, if you have one (who would make theirs public?! Never understood that.). Would be better not to be surprised if there's something out there that you wouldn't want a potential future employer to know about.

Mine's public.

I had considered creating an FB profile that was more geared toward my professional life.

Oh, and make sure that you know everything about you that there is out there on the internet, cause it's my understanding that every company searches for your online presence nowadays. Make sure your Facebook account is private, if you have one (who would make theirs public?! Never understood that.). Would be better not to be surprised if there's something out there that you wouldn't want a potential future employer to know about.

Mine's public.

WHAT THE WHUCK?! We are so having a conversation when u get home.

.-.. --- .-.. (LOL) Yes it is public! I hope you enjoyed the Valentine's Dinner.

Oh, and make sure that you know everything about you that there is out there on the internet, cause it's my understanding that every company searches for your online presence nowadays. Make sure your Facebook account is private, if you have one (who would make theirs public?! Never understood that.). Would be better not to be surprised if there's something out there that you wouldn't want a potential future employer to know about.

Mine's public.

I had considered creating an FB profile that was more geared toward my professional life.

That would be fine. SAM's internet stalkers are gonna come find me when he's away from the house after he checks in to Foursquare at a restaurant or something. Great. Now I've gotta go buy a gun.

I used Dice and got some interviews, but the way I actually got hired was to go with a temp agency that specializes in IT. Let the recruiter know up front that you are looking for a temp-to-hire position but you'll take what they have until that comes along. Whenever they offer you a position, remind them again about the temp-to-hire goal.

Keep your head up, and remember, just because the company can no longer afford you, doesn't mean you're not worth it. I have had to pass on my dream car year after year.

Another good suggestion, if this goes on for a while, and I pray it doesn't, then do some volunteer work to keep your resume full.

Oh, and make sure that you know everything about you that there is out there on the internet, cause it's my understanding that every company searches for your online presence nowadays. Make sure your Facebook account is private, if you have one (who would make theirs public?! Never understood that.). Would be better not to be surprised if there's something out there that you wouldn't want a potential future employer to know about.

Mine's public.

WHAT THE WHUCK?! We are so having a conversation when u get home.

.-.. --- .-.. (LOL) Yes it is public! I hope you enjoyed the Valentine's Dinner.

Oh good! So you'll know all about me kicking his ass for this after he checks into the hospital on Foursquare.

Also check out the company websites of businesses in your area as well as hospitals, banks, etc. I've found that many of them only post jobs on their company website and you might never know about it unless you look there directly.